Although Whelen has deep roots in the Northeast and is based in Connecticut, they are also behind any idea to push series beyond the borders of New England.

MODIFIED SERIES GETS NAME IN LIGHTS by Mike Twist

Whelen Joins Tour as New Sponsor, Schedule Changes in Store?

NASCAR’s oldest touring division will have a new backer in 2005. It was announced Friday in a press conference at the New Hampshire International Speedway that Whelen Engineering will sponsor the NASCAR Modified Series starting next season.

“Our products are marketed all over the world and we are in favor of any future expansion plans that NASCAR might have,” said Kurze.

Whelen has been involved in the sport for a long time and has been a long term sponsor of the Ted Marsh NASCAR Busch Series entry currently driven by Todd Bodine. That have been involved with Dave Blaney, Geoffrey Bodine and Ted Christopher as well. This weekend, they are also

Drivers Todd Szegedy and Rick Fuller were on hand with Whelen’s Motorsports Director Phil Kurze and NASCAR Vice President for Regional Touring Jim Hunter to break the news and talk about possible future plans for the tour.

“At least some of the races next season will be televised,” said Hunter. “We are well aware of what it takes to run a full Modified season and we want to help the teams.”

The door is also open for an expansion of the schedule, including a possible return to the Martinsville Speedway.

“Any change in the schedule must be an improvement,” said Hunter. “There are a lot of races in the Northeast and there needs to be because that is the home of the series. We also are well aware that there are places that those in the Modified Series would like to race at. There’s one in particular that we’ve raced at before and have had discussions with about a return. We need for the media and fans to help us out to get back there.”

There is no truth to the rumor that Mod teams will be required to equip their cars with Whelen lightbars next season. (51 Photos)

sponsoring the Brady Bunch #00 Modified driven in a one-race deal by Steve Park. The company manufactures emergency lighting and signaling devices.

Current series sponsor Featherlite will also remain close to the tour. It was announced that they will sponsor the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award starting next season with $300 going to the driver that improves the most positions from one race to the next. There will also be a $3,000 season long award for the driver who wins the most race award during the year.